Background: The 25th Moroccan International Trades Fair was opened in Casablanca on Thursday (26 April) by Crown Prince Sidi Muhammad. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Ahmed Osman.

At the Fair, which will be open until 13 May, there are over 70 exhibition stands. The previous Moroccan International Trades Fair was held in 1971 when a record number of more than 900,000 visitors attended. This year it is anticipated that the figure will be exceeded.

Participating for the first time in many years in The People's Republic of China.

The General theme of the Fair is Industrialisation and the promotion of international co-operation. To this end delegates are holding a series of round-table talks in Casablanca during the run of the Fair. High on the agenda are the subjects of economic policies and general expansion.

The participating nations are represented at the talks by industrialists and leaders of commerce. Discussions are ranging over such diverse subjects as geology, the oil industry, mining, refining, tourism, agricultural reform, textiles, the roles of Chambers of Commerce, social development, Customs Regulations and the exploitation of national crafts.

Of the site's 30 acres (12 hectares) almost 20 (eight) are taken up by exhibits.

Moroccan trade in chiefly with France and the France area, the Untied States of America, West Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy. About 45 per cent of the country's exports are agricultural. Agriculture, in fact is responsible for the employment of about 70 per cent of the country's working population.

SYNOPSIS: The Moroccan International Trades Fair was opened in Casablanca on Thursday. Performing the opening ceremony was the 10-years-old Crown Prince Sidi Muhammed. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Armed Oman.

The manner in which the young Prince conducted his official duties was the subject of much admiration.

General theme of the Fir, which attracted many foreign exhibitors, is industrialisation and the promotion of international co-operation. Even as the Fair is in full-swing -- it's open until May 13 -- leading industrialists and businessmen from many of the participating nations are holding round-table talks in Casablanca to discuss a wide range of topics with far-reaching financial implications. Among items on the agenda are oil refining, mining, tourism, textile production, agricultural reform and the exploitation of native crafts.

The last Moroccan Trade Fair was staged in 1971. Then it attracted more than 900,00 visitors. This year its organisers anticipate an even higher attendance.

Moroccan overseas trade is chiefly concentrated on agricultural products with France and the Franc area its biggest customers. But export expansion and finding new foreign markets is being given greater emphasis.

The Fair site covers 30 acres. Almost 20 acres are taken up by exhibition halls and exhibits. It's a truly international Fair.